The University of Hull – developed from University College Hull, which was opened in 1928 – received its Royal Charter on 6 September 1954 (the Charter and Statutes states that the University College of Hull was incorporated on 7 October 1927)

The University comprises seven sections: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Hull York Medical School; Faculty of Health and Social Care; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Business School, and Faculty of Education

The University of Hull has campuses in the cosmopolitan city of Hull and the coastal gem of Scarborough

Professor Calie Pistorius is the University's Vice-Chancellor, having taken up his appointment in September 2009

The Rt Hon Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone has been Chancellor of the University since April 2006

The University of Hull's yearly turnover is estimated at approximately £172 million pounds sterling

The total student population at the University of Hull is approximately 20,000 across Hull and Scarborough campuses

The University has particular research expertise in social justice, environmental technologies, maritime history, healthcare, 3D visualisation and nanotechnology – we're also known for liquid-crystal technology (for which the Department of Chemistry received the Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement)

Over 2,500 people are employed by the University of Hull; more than 1000 are academic staff

The University offers over 2000 courses a year, from the very latest disciplines to well-established traditional subjects

In the 2008 national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 80% of the University’s research was judged to be of an international standard in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

The National Student Survey (NSS) consistently ranks the University in the top ten mainstream English Universities

The 2010 International Student Barometer - a comparative study tracking international students’ opinions of education abroad - showed that the University continues to deliver first-class service to its international student body, with 88% of students satisfied or very satisfied with their experience here. Quality of careers advice, work experience opportunities for international students and the number of international societies in our students union' scored particularly highly.

Hull University Union is one of the most active students’ unions in the country, with over 150 active societies. In 2012 it was crowned 'Higher Education Students' Union of the Year' in the NUS Awards. Asylum, its own £3.5 million nightclub, was named 'Student Nightclub of the Year' in 2003 by the British Entertainment and Dance Association.

The Hull University Social Services Organisation (HUSSO), based in the Union, is the largest voluntary group in the region, and was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Trust Gold Award for Community Service in 1992

The Brynmor Jones Library and the Keith Donaldson Library boast over a million volumes of books and periodicals. There's a collection of over 60,000 maps; they subscribe to 16,000+ electronic journals, several hundred databases/datasets, plus have a growing e-book collection. The substantial archival collections features local/regional history, modern politics, human rights and civil liberties, and modern literature.

It is to benefit from a multi-million pound investment, creating a stunning new focal point for students, staff, and visitors alike.

Philip Larkin was the University’s Librarian for 30 years and he wrote some of his most celebrated poetry, including the Whitsun Weddings, whilst at Hull. Other famous alumni include Oscar-winning Director Anthony Minghella, poet Roger McGough, BBC Radio 4 presenter Jenni Murray and journalist and former Beirut hostage John McCarthy.